Women's World Cup: NI take on Austria in crunch qualifier

Northern Irelands Marissa Callaghan during Thursdays training session at the Wiener Neustadt Ergo Arena ahead of Fridays FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier against Austria
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 8th Apr 2022

Northern Ireland play Austria tonight (Friday) in what is a must-win Women's World Cup qualifier.

Both sides go into the game at the Wiener Neustadt Ergo Arena with 13 points from six games.

With a play-off spot in Group D very much up for grabs, Kenny Shiels' players cannot afford to drop points - especially with England up next.

Northern Ireland play the group leaders at the National Stadium at Windsor Park on Tuesday.

NI in training

Marissa Callaghan (main picture) said the team were under no illusions about the importance of the game which she said was reflected in their meticulous preparation.

"It's a massive game - it's a game that can actually get us into a play-off for a World Cup Cup - for the first time we would be able to do that," she said.

"So we have literally analysed every game possible and we know what they are good at and we know what their strengths and weaknesses are.

"We just need to go out and give it our all and hopefully get a result."

NI train in Austria